Nigerian Police commences 24-hour air surveillance on Abuja-Kaduna highway

The Police on Saturday has started 24-hour air surveillance on Abuja-Kaduna highway following increase of traffic on the road.

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 7, Abuja, Alhaji Salisu Fagge, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Saturday that the measure was part of efforts at ensuring safety of travellers on the road.

Traffic on the Abuja-Kaduna road is expected to be high from now till the next six weeks due to the shift of air transport services from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja to Kaduna Airport.

The Abuja airport was closed on Wednesday for upgrade of some critical facilities, especially the runway.

Fagge said that the commissioners of police in Kaduna, Niger and Federal Capital Territory, comprising the zone, have been directed to put adequate measures in place to contain any security threat on the road and beyond.

He gave assurance that the zone would continue to adopt proactive security strategies against any form of security threat in the area.

Sufficient personnel have been deployed to provide security in the zone, he said.

He assured travellers on the highway that there is “no course for alarm”.

“We are patrolling the entire area on air and land against any form of security threats.

“We will continue to map out comprehensive security measures that will enable us apprehend all kinds of criminals.

“We have identified and deployed armed security personnel to dangerous spots for that purpose,” the AIG said.

He called for the support of traditional rulers and stakeholders in sensitising residents to volunteer information that would aid security agencies in apprehending criminals in their midst.

 

Source: NAN

Nigerian Police arrests suspected killers of US Army veteran, Oscar Okebata

The police in Imo State have arrested suspected killers of Oscar Okebata, a retired soldier in the American Army who was robbed and murdered in Atta, in the Ikeduru LGA, on January 12, 2017.

At a press briefing in Owerri, the state capital on Wednesday, the Commissioner of Police, Taiwo Lakanu, said Chukwu Osondu, Stanley Uchechukwu, Kelvin Onyekachi and Promise Uchendu were apprehended with “concrete evidence that showed that they murdered the ex-solider” who was in the state for the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Lakanu said, “The suspects were arrested in connection with the robbery and murder of one Oscar Okebata of Achi Mbieri in the Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, an American veteran soldier who returned home for Yuletide last year”.

“The victim’s Samsung Galaxy Note 5 was sold at N125,000. It was the mobile phone that led policemen to the suspects, leading to their arrest.”

Nigeria Police dismiss 14 officers for criminal misconduct

The Nigeria Police Force has fired several officers for criminal misconduct.

A spokesperson for the police, Don Awuna, said at a press conference on Tuesday that the personnel “erred and compromised in discharging their duties and betraying the official oath of office”.

Their offences include aiding and abetment of cattle rustling, robbery and kidnapping in the northeast.

The officers were arrested, subjected to internal disciplinary measures and punished according to the gravity of their offences, he said.

The police statement says in part:

CASE I: ARREST OF NINE (9) POLICE PERSONNEL FOR UNPROFESSIONAL CONDUCT, AIDING AND ABETMENT OF SERIOUS CRIMES e.g. CATTLE RUSTLING, ROBBERY AND KIDNAPPING IN THE NORTH-EAST.

SUSPECTS:
i. EX. ASP Yuguda Abbah
ii. EX. Sgt Habila Sarki
iii. EX. Diphen Nimmyel
iv. EX. Sgt Yasan Danda
v. EX. Sgt Abbas Mailalle
vi. EX. Sgt Bwanason Tanko
vii. EX. Sgt Donan James
vii. EX. CPL Idris Salisu
ix. EX. CPL Zakari Kofi

The interrogation and confessions of the Ex-Policemen also led to the arrest of principal suspects and recovery of many arms and ammunition:

SUSPECTS:
i. Mayo Chadi Aliyu ‘M’
ii. Atiku Ibrahim
iii. Ali Mohammed
iv. Abdulrahman Umar
v. Umar Daudu
vi. Ibrahim Umar
vii. Ibrahim Mallam
viii. Adamu Lolo
ix. Suleiman Buba
x. Ahmed Adamu
xi. Gidado Garba
xii. Sani Dan Alhaji
xiii. Inusa Mohammed
xiv. Mohammed Wari
xv. Mohammed Rabiu
xvi. Hammadu Abdullahi
xvii. Umar Adamu
xviii. Idi Juye
xix. Yusuf Abdullahi

EXHIBITS RECOVERED:
i. Fourteen (14) AK 47 rifles with numbers intact
ii. Three (3) other AK 47 rifles with numbers etched out.
iii. One (1) Pump Action
iv. One (1) locally made pistol
v. Forty-two (42) empty magazines
vi. Three hundred and sixty three (363) rounds of AK 47 live ammunition
vii. Seventy one (71) K2 live ammunition
viii. Twenty five (25) live cartridges.

In the month of October, 2016 one Alhaji Hodi Adamu, a notorious armed robbery suspect was arrested by the Police in Adamawa State. The suspect’s confession led to the arrest of two other suspects namely: Rabo Bello ‘M’ and Oliver Honiol ‘M’ whose voluntary confessions led to the arrest of the nine (9) Police personnel mentioned above for various roles they played through their actions and inactions which are considered as disciplinary infractions. The principal suspects and the dismissed police officers will soon be charged to court.

CASE II: ARREST OF A VICIOUS KIDNAPPER/ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECT AND FOUR (4) POLICEMEN FOR AIDING AND ABETMENT OF CRIMINAL ACTS IN KOGI STATE.

SUSPECTS:
i. Zakari Ya’u Isiaka (a notorious kidnapper/Armed Robber) Principal suspect
ii EX. Sgt Musbahu Yahaya
iii EX. Sgt Ugenlo Sylvester
iv. EX. Sgt Musa Umar
v. EX. CPL Omale Edicha

EXHIBITS RECOVERED:
i. One AK-47 Rifle
ii. ONE G3 Rifle
iii. ONE Baretta Rifle
iv. One Assault Rifle
v. Ten (10) 7.62mm life ammunition;
vi. Two (2) k2life ammunition;
vii. Two (2) AK-47 magazines;
viii.Three (3) K2 magazines; and
ix. Two (2) G3 magazine

On the 16th of August, 2016 four (4) Policemen mentioned above serving with the Kogi State command were arrested for compromising and conspiring with one Zakari Ya’u Isiaka, a notorious armed robber, kidnapper and murderer who has been on the wanted list of the Police in Kogi State.

The suspect confessed to having been actively involved in many armed robberies, kidnappings and murder cases within Kogi and other North-Central States. Five (5) assorted rifles and different calibers of ammunition were recovered from the suspect and other members of his gang.
The dismissed policemen were interrogated and found to have conspired and compromised their call to duty.

CASE III: CONSPIRACY TO SUPPLY EXPLOSIVES TO MILITANTS IN LAGOS AND OGUN STATES

SUSPECTS:
i. Abiodun Amos “alias” SENTI ‘M’
ii. Ex-SGT Laibi Opakegba ‘M’

Ex-SGT Laibi Opakegba was intercepted discussing with one Abiodun Amos “alias” SENTI on how to source and supply red dynamite to militants. The said Abiodun Amos , a 43 year old militant who is a native of Ese-Odo L.G.A of Ondo state was arrested at the bank of Majidun River in Ikorodu area of Lagos State while in possession of two (2) AK-47 rifles. He named other members of his militant group.

Nigerian Police Deploys Bomb Detection Squad To Airports Ahead Of Christmas Celebration

The Nigerian Police Force has deployed its Bomb Detection Unit to help beef up security at various airports in the country ahead of the forthcoming Christmas celebration.

A statement issued in Lagos on Sunday by Yakubu Dati, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, General Manager, Corporate Affairs, said the deployment was part of the security and safety measures.

It said that the deployment of the police bomb detection unit to the airports was to complement the effort of FAAN’s security personnel at various security screening points to ensure a hitch-free celebration.

The statement quoted Mr. Dati as saying that necessary operational and security measures had been put in place at all the airports to ensure free flow of passengers and cargo during the yuletide.

“Passenger facilitation at all our airports has also been enhanced by the installation of more modern and bigger conveyor belts and metal walk-through detectors.

“The expansion and modernisation of all the airport terminals now provide better ambience and more space for restaurants at the terminals, as well as newly opened duty free shops,” Mr. Dati added.

Credit: PremiumTimes

Nigeria Police Introduces Better Welfare Package For Officers

AIG Bala Hassan in charge of Zone 2 said in Lagos on Thursday that the Police High Command had introduced better welfare package for its officers and men.

According to Hassan who took over in September from AIG Matthew Mbu, who has been redeployed to Police College, the initiatives are morale boosters to the officers and men.

“As directed by the IG, when we send our men out on patrol on the highways, we give them rations and water to satisfy their hunger as they cannot get such things to buy in the bush.

“We also send officers to go and monitor their welfare and such officers do not go there empty-handed.

“This is happening for the first time as part of the welfare package,’’ Hassan said.

He said the police authorities were building houses across the country, using their personnel in the various engineering fields.

The AIG, who oversees Zone 2 which comprises of Lagos and Ogun States,  said the initiative was part of efforts aimed at ensuring that officers had their own houses before retirement.

“The IG has also commenced police housing scheme and this is different from what others have done.

“How can a junior officer get money to build a house worth N5 to N6 million?

“The IG has made our housing and works department vibrant because we have graduates in the force that read architecture and other related engineering courses.

“He has assembled them to construct the houses and since they are paid salaries, they are not going to be paid any workmanship.’’

Hassan disclosed that the project had commenced in three states and would extend to other state soon.

He said: “They have started constructing houses for officers in Kastina, Edo and one other state.

“The idea is to ensure that officers get houses at very cheap rates.

“Once you are sure that after retirement you have a place of your own, the officer will not molest people here and there.

“These are some of the things the I-G has packaged as welfare for our men so that they can perform better.’’

On compensation to families of officers who died in active service, Hassan said N57 million was doled out to them on Oct. 28 in Lagos.

“This will enable the families to continue to take care of the children left behind by the deceased officers.

“It is a form of insurance, and we warned them that the money was not for frivolities … it is for the school fees of the children.’’

Hassan also disclosed that the police had unveiled a health programme for officers and men.

“The IG has directed that every police officer whose father, mother, wife, children or any relation has any terminal disease should be treated here in Nigeria free instead of going to India.

“The treatment covers diseases such as cancer and others.

“The hospital can ask them to bring N5 million or N10 million and there is no way such officers can raise that kind of money and that is another form of welfare,’’ he said.

On scholarships, Hassan said the police had begun doling out of scholarships to children of policemen who excel in public examinations.

“Police have created a scholarship programme for children of junior officers.

“The scholarship will cover their education from secondary school to the university level.’’

 

 

(NAN)

Former DIG calls for state police

A retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG), Mr Chris Omeben, has lent his voice to the clamour for the creation of state police in Nigeria.

Omeben, who turns 80 on Oct. 27, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos.

It will be recalled that for years, different State Governments, groups and individuals have been clamouring for the creation of state police, arguing that it would address the problems of high-profile killings, kidnappings and crimes in general.

They also argue that creation of state police would help to create jobs and instil sense of security among the populace as it would enable indigenes of any community “to identify who is who’’.

The National Conference convoked by the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan listed the issue of creation of state police among “no go areas’’.

Omeben told NAN: “I was opportune to be a Deputy Inspector-General of Police and right from our days there has been this clamour.

“I whole heartedly support the creation of state police for a very simple reason that it will check the incessant cases of abuse by policemen and the high and mighty in society.

“Before, we had local, state police in the Eastern Region, the old Bendel State part of which is now Edo State, the Western Region and even the Northern Region and they did wonderful jobs.’’

The retired police chief said that the clamour for state police now was because of the visible successes recorded by the local outfits then.

He recalled that there was a time that the police had about 40,000 personnel “which was said to be good at that time’’.

With that situation, he said, Nigerians then asked for an Inspector-General of Police, Deputy Inspector-General of Police and other positions.

“But what is the current situation of the police? The population of the force is now over 200,000. How do you expect 200,000 people to be handled the same way 40,000 were handled? It is not possible.

“I believe that every state should own a police and also have a Commissioner of Police, and we shall also have the federal police who will have an Inspector-General who will take care of standards.

“All the forces must have the same standard and uniform all over the states but with the highest person in the state being a Commissioner of Police.

“The federal police should handle federal cases or matters which are above the state power,’’ he told NAN.

On the worsening cases of crime and traffic in Lagos, the former DIG said that the government should ban mobile shops and hawking on roads in the state.

“It will reduce robbery and harassment by criminals on the roads during gridlocks.

“I was glad when two years ago, the government planned to introduce a body to stop assault on the roads, especially during gridlocks.

“The Nigerian police also have their own problems too. We have some police officers who take part in some notorious acts on the roads,’’ he said.

Busayo Coker: Lethal Weapons

“Guns don’t kill people, people kill people”

DMX Lethal Weapon IV

A strange truth as all profoundly true statements are

The notion of the absurdity of the statement in itself terrifies

One truth you would expect a lie in a nation

Even one ruled by thugs and tyrants

In a democracy an anomaly

Yet this is true

Truer with extortionist manning check points

Trained men, with egunje as their sole motive

Trigger happy, conscience seared with hot iron

Death holds no meaning

Life is for a few dollars more

Ruled by kickbacks and nepotism

Superior beings clothed , the devil in black black

Human in heart blackened

Pots of Mormon

Dirges we still sing for you

Suckling plucked from her mother’s breast

Mother died not willing, she gave her life once for her suckling

She got back a gift

Her life now she lost, her gift she lost

Hippocrates oath mere words

Life holds no value

Emergency services mere words

Nothing all is nothing

We bid you sleep in peace

Black is death.

Buhari to employ 10,000 policemen, fix CCTVs in major cities

The Federal government will employ 10,000 police officers and create a Multi-Agency Task Force as part of measures to address challenges of insurgency in the country in a sustainable manner, President Muhammadu Buhari said in Abuja on Monday.

 

The President who said this while declaring open a one day security summit organized by the Nigeria Police Force also used the occasion to itemize the various reforms his administration will pursue to ensure that the Police is empowered to response to the security challenges confronting the country.

 

The President also commended Solomon Arase, the Inspector General of Police over the various reforms he had initiated since his appointment.

 

The President revealed in his opening speech that the government is already making efforts to enhance the operational capacity of the Police through a tailor made-made training programme that will give officers the right civil orientation in their roles as guardians of the constitution.

 

He also revealed that to further strengthen the security of the public space, government is giving consideration to expansion of the CCTV Monitoring System across major cities and towns in the country, while the police accountability mechanism will be strengthened.

 

President Buhari added that in appreciation of the strategic role of the citizens and the community in modern policing, his administration will encourage States to look at State-level Community inter-acting with police under a model that will integrate members of the community to policing functions at the grassroots level.

 

The President who expressed hope that the National Security Summit will develop pathways for the attainment of the policy focus of his administration on policing also commended the Solomon Arase led Police leadership over some of the initiatives it has introduced since coming into office.

 

In this vein, the President commended the IGP’s dismantling of road blocks which he noted “have consistently constituted a dark side of policing and object of discord between the police and the citizens of this country.”

 

“The initiatives of the Inspector-General of Police to also introduce the ‘Safer Highway Motorised Patrol’ Scheme and deploy 555 Patrol Vehicles along all major highways to fill the void created by the enforcement of the order dismantling road blocks is also acknowledged as a proactive action meant to reassure citizens of their safety and security.

 

“In addition, I also note the commitment of the Force leadership to uphold and enforce Chapter IV of the constitution and commit officers of the Force to the adherence to all United Nations and African Union Charters and other regional global instruments on Human Rights while also introducing Alternative Dispute Resolution procedures to policing functions.

 

“Furthermore it is the policy thrust of the Inspector-General of Police which discourages pre-trial detention of citizens while encouraging the practice of intelligence-led crime detection,” Buhari who noted that if the various initiatives are properly implemented, will help to address “factors that threaten public confidence in the Police and hence, create good grounds for the practice of community-led policing to flourish,” said.

 

“I am tasking the police not only to “say” but to “do” as we are promising to Nigerians,” the President tasked men of the law enforcement agency.

The President assured that his administration will bequeath a reformed, re-oriented, well trained, well-equipped and highly motivated Police Force to the nation.

 

But he noted that the dream can only be achieved with the support of the citizens.

 

“This remains a sacred civic responsibility which all citizens owe this country, especially at this time that we are re-energising our counterterrorism initiatives and working very hard to protect the citizens from crime and guarantee the safety and security of all Nigerians,” said the President.

 

While speaking at the National Summit which has as its theme Community Partnership Approach to Internal Security and Crime Management, Arase emphasized that the Police need adequate funding to be able to meet the huge logistic demand of the modern day police.

 

“Through effective funding, the welfare needs of police personnel will be met and the challenge of corruption that has eroded professionalism and public respect for police will be addressed,” he said.

 

In this vein, the IGP said the Bill on Police Trust Fund which seeks to tax corporate entities to complement the Federal Government in funding the police should be given a fresh consideration.

 

He also advocated that the security challenges in the country and problems of inadequate manpower of the Police can be addressed through citizens-driven policing model.

 

“This model will address the manpower deficiency challenge in the Nigeria Police as every citizen plays the role of a police officer,” he said.

Source : PM News

#BelieveItOrNot!! Norway’s Police Only Fired Two Bullets Last Year… And No One Was Killed

Police in Norway fired their guns only twice last year – and no one was hurt – new statistics which reveal the country’s low level of gun use have shown. Norwegian officers drew their weapons just 42 times in 2014, the lowest number of times in the last 12 years. Only two people were killed in police shootings in the same period.

The majority of Norway’s police, like forces in Britain, Ireland and Iceland, patrol unarmed and carry guns only under special circumstances.

Sadly, in the US, 547 people have been killed by police during the first six months of 2015 alone, 503 of them by gunshot. US police are always armed.